Front view
Rear view
DIN rail mount version

The TIC-8420 is a novel Timer/Counter/Analyzer based on digitization of time intervals in pulse trains with 2.8 ns resolution.

  • Digitizes Time Intervals
  • USB controlled instrument
  • TTL/CMOS logic inputs/outputs
  • Flexible Arming/Triggering
  • Windows 10/11, Linux, 32/64 bit

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Features

  • 2.8 ns resolution, 6 ns minimum Pulse Width, 100 MHz fMax
  • Two independent input channels
  • External reference and trigger channels
  • Jitter, Frequency, Time Interval, Pulse-width Measurements
  • Two channel start/stop measurements
  • Repetitive measurements: Single-Stop Histogram, Multi-Stop Histogram

Applications

  • Edge Counter, Time Stamping
  • Pulse-Width, Pulse, Semi-Period, Frequency, Period, Position Measurement
  • Simple Pulse, Pulse Train, Frequency Generation
  • Time-to-digital conversion (TDC)
  • Time-of-flight (TOF) measurements

Overview

The TIC-8420 is a novel Timer/Counter/Analyzer based on digitization of time intervals in pulse trains with 2.8 ns resolution.

The software application on the computer can be developed in Python, LabView, C, C++, or any other compatible programming language supporting standard libraries.

TIC Architecture

The block diagram shows the key components of the instrument from the user’s point of view. To suppress glitches, the input signals are filtered by programmable low-pass filters. Leading or falling edges in the input signals are now counted and converted to timetags (time/count pairs) with a resolution of 2.6 ns. The Capture Control unit decides when to capture a timestamp in the Event-Stream Fifos,based the active Measurement Mode.

The raw data from the Event-Stream Fifos are then converted to meaningful data by the analyzer, also based on the active Measurement Mode. All this happens in parallel, so no information is lost.

Measurement Modes

MDEL Measurement Mode

Delay is the time difference between the activation of the A and B channel.

MPWI Measurement Mode

Pulse width is the distance between the leading and the subsequent trailing edge of a pulse.

MPUL Measurement Mode

This mode measures the active as well as the inactive time of a pulse. The pulse period and the duty cycle are calculated.

MTOT Measurement Mode

In totalizing counter mode, the Timetag unit continuously counts the active edges of the input signal.

MFAV Measurement Mode

For frequency/period average measurements an interval N must be selected. An event is captured for every Nth leading signal edge.

Spezifications

Time Base

Stability (vs. ambient temperature): ± 3.0 ppm

Aging (first year): ± 2.0 ppm


Electrical Data

Overvoltage Protection (permanent, all inputs): -5.0V … +8.7V

Overvoltage Protection (peak, max. 10 ms, 2% duty cycle): ± 20V

Input Characteristics (Pull-down 33kΩ at each input):
Logic L ≤ 0.8V, Logic H ≥ 2.0V

Output Characteristics (low):

Output Characteristics (high):

3.3V Output Pin (Output current): 1.6 mA max.

Supply Voltage (USB): 5V ± 5%

Supply Current (USB): 150 mA max.


Environmental and Physical

Size (excluding connectors): 111 mm L x 76 mm W x 29 mm H

Weight: 160 g

Operating ambient temperature: 0 … 50°C

Storage temperature: -20 … 80°C

Relative humidity: 5 … 95%, noncondensing

USB connector: Extraction force ≥ 15N, Mating force ≤ 35N



Ordering Information

TIC-8420 - Instrument, USB cable (1m), Software Download Card